Whether you’ve had your dog since they were a puppy, adopted an older pooch, or you foster dogs of all ages, shapes, sizes and temperaments – you’ll be familiar with the importance of keeping your pup entertained.
But every dog is different. Some, even the smallest of Chihuahuas and Shih-Tzus, can destroy a supposedly ‘ultra-tough’ chew-toy in a matter of minutes. Others – take Bunny, the disturbingly sentient Sheepadoodle – need a more high-tech form of stimulation.
As such, there are a variety of different types of dog toys. Luckily for us, PAWS, a Companion Animal Shelter based in Washington, USA, has a handy-dandy guide. Let us break it down for you.
Interactive Toys
Think: fetch and tug-of-war toys. Though tugging is often considered a big no-no in a lot of households, when taught correctly it can be a fantastic way of both engaging with your pup, and keeping them entertained. Simple commands such as ‘tug’ and ‘tug done’ can teach your pooch to enjoy an interactive game without the bad behaviour.
Distraction Toys
For when you simply don’t have the time to play. These include your classic chew toys – of both the fuzzy variety and the dental health variety – and puzzle toys. The latter usually involves a series of tasks for you dog to complete, for which they are rewarded with a special treat.
Comfort Toys
We get it, bud. The world can be a little scary and overwhelming sometimes. Some dogs require the comfort of a fuzzy toy, sans destruction. In fact, they’ll get incredibly sad when the comfort toy they’ve carried everywhere gets worn and ruined out of love. They’re really not so dissimilar to toddlers.
Whether you’re new to the dog-owning game or a seasoned veteran, we’ve created a round-up of the best interaction, distraction and comfort toys currently on the market for your precious pooch.
Best dog toys at a glance:
- Best for a three-in one: Happier Doggo Floppy Lobster - Interactive Dog Toy - £18.98, Happier Doggo
- Best for hi-tech play: PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher - £149.99, OnBuy
- Best for anxious pups: All for Paws Little Buddy Heart Beat Sheep - £17.99, Amazon
- Best for tug o’ war: Fida Rope Toys for Large/Medium Aggressive Chewers - £12.99, Amazon
- Best for treats: Kong Classic Chew Treat Dog Toy Red - £8.50, Pets at Home
- Best for endless hours of fun: The Tech Bar Intelligent Smart Pet Ball - £79.95, Selfridges
- Best for brain-training: Fossa Snuffle Mat, Puppy Toys Feeding Mat with 8 Carrots - £45.16, Amazon
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Floppy Lobster Interactive Dog Toy
Best for: a three-in one
An incredibly helpful combination of all the above three types of toy that we just described, the floppy lobster is an extra fuzzy plush with a subtle, silent contact motion sensor. It’ll start flopping around like a fish out of water (we know they’re crustaceans, allow us this) when it senses your dog has started playing, and automatically stop when they’re done.
It’s also made of a durable TPR-Grade padding that’s designed to hold in the face of strong and destructive chewers. Its battery is fully rechargeable, with a handy hidden USB port which can connect to any device. We’re sold.
Buy now £18.98, Happier Doggo
PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher
Best for: hi-tech play
Endless hours of distraction are on the cards with this automatic ball launcher from PetSafe. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor play, though we wholly recommend sticking to the latter, this motion-sensor operated device can launch a ball between 2.5 and 9 metres. Teach your dog to drop the ball back into the launcher themselves and you’re all set.
Fear not, your pup isn’t in danger tiring themselves out to the point of sheer exhaustion. After 15 minutes of continuous play, the machine shuts itself down for 15 minutes before starting up again. If you can’t plug the machine into a nearby power source, you can also use batteries. Now that’s versatile.
Buy now £149.99, OnBuy
ALL FOR PAWS Little Buddy Heart Beat Sheep, Puppy Toy with Heartbeat Dog Training Toy for Separation Anxiety Relief
Best for: anxious pups
Perfect for new puppies, foster dogs and pups with general separation anxiety, this heart beat sheep is a life-saver. The adorable, super-soft fuzzy sheep holds within it a very special device which reproduces the heart vibration that puppies would get from their mothers.
Battery operated with a 20-minute continuous heartbeat cycle, there’s ample time for your pup to get settled. If your dog is still fussing, simply press down on the device to re-start the cycle and they’ll be counting sheep in no time.
Buy now £17.99, Amazon
Fida Dog Rope Toys for Large/Medium Aggressive Chewers
Best for: tug o’ war
Ok, ok. We get it. No plushie is safe within the powerful jaws of your dog. We hear you, too. You’ve tried everything. This highly rated and reviewed rope toy from Fida might just be your saviour. Made from 100 per cent natural and washable cotton, it’s safe for daily and constant use. Three feet long and equipped with five extra-large knots, this toy is a fantastic length for larger breeds.
Buy now £12.99, Amazon
Kong Classic Chew Treat Dog Toy Red
Best for: treats
Most dog-owners will have come across the classic Kong Treat toy. Pinecone shaped with a narrowly hollowed-out inside, perfect for stuffing peanut butter or your pup’s favourite treats, the Kong comes in a vast range of sizes and strengths.
A staple of the pet world for over 40 years, the ultra-durable rubber is great for tough chewers, while the bumps and grooves give the toy an erratic bounce – ideal for some extra distraction play.
Buy now £8.50, Pets at Home
The Tech Bar Intelligent Smart Pet Ball
Best for: endless hours of fun
We couldn’t believe Selfridges stocked dog toys either.
This smart pet ball comes equipped with eight hours of play, three interactive activity modes and automatic ‘rest-time’ included in play. It can be set to move and jump, shake and jump, react to touch or simply just sit still and have a breather. We couldn’t think of a better way to keep your pup busy on those work-from-home days where they’re just desperate for your attention.
Buy now £79.95, Selfridges
Fossa Dog Snuffle Mat, Puppy Toys Feeding Mat with 8 Carrots
Best for: brain-training
See just how agile and clever your pooch is with this interactive snuffle puzzle toy from Fossa. The mat comes equipped with eight detachable plush carrots, which you can fill with treats for you dog to sniff out and munch on. They’ll first have to pull the carrot from its container, before snuffling around inside for their reward.
This not only helps to train your dog to munch on their treats slower, but helps keeps your intelligent pup’s mind engaged.
Buy now £45.16, Amazon
